Worcestershire Way Walk 2022 - Walker Information Pack 17th year! - St Richard's Hospice

Worcestershire
          Way Walk
             2022
                 Kindly sponsored by:

                  Walker
Now in its
             Information Pack
     th
  17
 year!

Arrival and Registrations

Start

Like last year, please make you own way to the start at Bewdley, either get dropped off in
front of Bewdley Farm Shop (fruit and veg), or leave a car (at your own risk) at Dog Lane Car
Park (adjacent to Bewdley Fire Station, DY12 2BU). https://www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/streets-
and-parking/parking/car-parks-in-wyre-forest/pay-and-display-car-parks/car-parks-in-
bewdley/dog-lane-long-stay/ You can leave a car here up to 48hours!

Check in is from 5.45am to 6.30am - please note we cannot accept registrations at Bewdley
after 6.30am. Hospice personnel will be on site, should be evident, (staff/volunteers wearing
blue tabards) by the curved wall in front of Bewdley Fire Station, DY12 2BU.
Everyone must check in so that we can account for all walkers on the day.

Everyone must pre-register via www.strichards.org.uk by 9am on Mon 4th July. You do not need
to bring your ‘entry ticket’ printed off.

Tea and Cake stop

Abberley ladies are kindly providing yummy homemade cakes and teas at Abberley Hall
School’s Cricket pavilion which you will pass in the morning. Please try to leave here by
10am.

Lunch Stop

Our lunch stop is at The Talbot at Knightwick (20 mile point). Please ensure you check-in at
this point with hospice volunteers or staff, who will be evident. You MUST leave here by
2.30pm or you will not make it back to Malvern in the daylight. Please take this into account
when you do your practice walks.

A cold buffet lunch will be provided free of charge from 11.30am - always a highlight of the
day! Please note this is a general buffet so it may not be suitable for those with allergies or
special dietary requirements.

Massage en route

A sports masseur will be on hand at The Talbot to administer massage to refresh tired
limbs/feets.

‘What 3 Words’ App

Please downloaded ‘What 3 Words’ App to your smart phone. This free App will give you 3
words that pinpoint your location to within 3mtr. Emergency services / us / you / family are
then able to navigate to an exact spot easily. You can then use this App if lost / need assistance
whether out in the countryside or even on the motorway!

Water Stations

WATER STATIONS ARE AT:

1.     Heightington (wobbling.droplet.chucked)*
2.     After Joan’s Hole (1/2 mile) (p16 in the official Worcestershire way guide book) (swordfish.tipping.raking)*
3.     Abberley school (back gate)
4.     Hambridge Farm (driveway.severe.eggs)*
5.     Admiral Rodney Pub
6.     The Talbot Pub – Lunch venue (20 miles completed!)
7.     Suckley Post Office - Longley Green
8.     Norrest Court - Norburys Norrest Farm Shop, Leigh Sinton, Malvern WR13 5EH
9.     Cowleigh Park (racing.harmonica.intruding)*
10.    Red Lion- Finish- Yipee!!
                             * What 3 Words coordinates

General information

You must carry a mobile phone or walk with someone who has one. You will be asked for the
mobile number when you register. This will assist with all our Health and Safety procedures.

Please carry adequate supplies of water/drink and snacks. Please ensure the drink you carry
is in a container/bottle that you can easily refill. There will be water/drinks 'stations' en route.
These will not all be manned. You will simply refill your bottles and carry on. Top tip - always
top up! Thank you to ELMS (Environmental and Landscape Maintenance Services) for putting
out the water and for being on hand on the day.

Toilet facilities are limited (ie pubs or bushes en route) so please bear in mind! Ladies you can
always take along a shewee (highly recommended, Visit www.shewee.com)

We have a qualified first aid representative and also marshals from ELMS (Environmental and
Landscape Maintenance Services) - who know the route inside out - will be on hand - telephone
numbers will be issued on the day.

The Health and Safety notes included are very important and we would ask you to read them
carefully so that your walk is as comfortable and safe as we can possibly make it. Whilst all
reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure your safety on this walk, we cannot accept
any further liability.

Please promote this walk – before (eg updating your friends on training walks done etc)
during and after, using social media:

www.facebook.com/strichards                                   #worcswaywalk @StRichardsHosp

The Finish

The Red Lion pub at Malvern is very conveniently situated at the end of our marathon 31 mile
route. This is an ideal place to meet family and friends and celebrate your achievement. We
will be set up outside if the weather is favourable. If you are rushing off please remember you
must check in at this point before you go home, this is very important. Most walkers finish
between 6-8pm. If you are unable to make it this far and leave the route at an earlier
stage, please advise us by calling the number on your walkers notes (issued on the
morning).

A pin badge and medal will be issued on final check in.

Transport at the end of the day must be arranged by each walker. We cannot provide a
return coach, as participants will finish at such varying times. Please have relatives/friends on
stand by to help get you home/back to your car. Likewise, if you decide you cannot complete
the challenge at any point you must arrange your own transport via family and friends.

The Fundraising Target

If you would like any further paper sponsor forms then please email eprice@strichards.org.uk
or an easy way to fundraise is to set up a Just Giving Page so that sponsors can donate
online and the money is received directly by St Richard’s Hospice. This means no chasing by
you after the event. Visit
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/SRHWorcsWayWalk2022
and in the section ‘Fundraisers’ click on ‘start fundraising’ (orange box) to set up a page and
don’t forget to include your personal story and picture.

Our fundraising target for the Worcestershire Way Walk this year is £24,000 from 140
participants. Thank you for your hard work and commitment to try and achieve this for our
patients and families. St Richard’s Hospice provides care free-of-charge to over 3,300
patients and their family members suffering with life-limiting illnesses across Worcestershire.
We really could not continue to provide our vital services without the support from our local
community and people like you, so a huge thank you for taking on this challenge. We would
appreciate it if all monies raised could be returned to the hospice by 21st August 2022.

Worcestershire Way Walkers
                                     Health & Safety Tips

Food and Drinks
   •   Eat carbohydrates before and throughout the walk and make sure you have breakfast
   •   Drink plenty of water or energy drinks at regular intervals - Platypus flasks with mouth tube are
       useful (because you can take on water easily without taking your rucksack off) and also don't
       take up room when they are empty
   •   Take energy foods – cereal bars, chocolate, glucose drinks

Clothes
   •   Wear suitable and comfortable walking clothing
   •   Wear light layers of clothing including a breathable or cotton t-shirt and fleece
   •   Wear two pairs of socks – one thin pair (preferably cotton) and a thicker pair (breathable).
   •   Take a spare pair of socks for the half-way point
   •   Wear worn-in walking shoes (plus spare laces)
   •   Wear lightweight quick drying trousers (definitely not jeans)
   •   Take a waterproof (breathable recommended) – after all it is England – this can also be used
       as protection against the wind and something to sit on

Warming up and Walking
   •   Warm up muscles prior to walking – either by rubbing down, massage or stretching exercises
   •   Rub down or massage muscles or do stretching exercises at the end of the walk
   •   Training beforehand should concentrate on the knees as these are vulnerable especially when
       going downhill
   •   Take shorter strides when going uphill and even lean slightly forward to assume a “monkey”
       position (altering your centre of balance)
   •   Try to relax when going downhill

Remember to check with your doctor before attempting strenuous walks if you are unsure of
any health issues.

Items to take with you
   •   Mobile phone with ‘What 3 Words’ App downloaded
   •   Worcestershire Way Walk Guide Book (with walker maps) – Alternatively
       www.yellowpublications.co.uk do a walkers map, scale 1: 16,000 priced at £7.99
   •   Comfortable rucksack that clips around the waist
   •   Sun screen
   •   Basic first aid kit, including tissues, painkillers and Compeed plasters (obtainable from Boots
       the Chemist) as they are excellent for blisters
   •   Sun/rain hat
   •   Map and compass
   •   Emergency blanket - silver sheet like the marathon runners use - you can get them from Millets
       or Blacks etc
   •   Walking sticks or poles, essential in muddy conditions
   •   Ibuprofen

                              WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THE CHALLENGE!